'Election Integrity at Stake': 23 Opposition Parties, AAP and DMK Write to CJI Over EC's SIR

The Opposition stepped up its criticism of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on Tuesday by jointly approaching Chief Justice of India Surya Kant . A letter signed by 23 political parties and one Independent Member of Parliament seeks judicial attention to the ongoing voter list revision exercise and other issues related to the electoral process.

The initiative follows a decision taken during the INDIA alliance's June 8 meeting , where leaders agreed to raise concerns over the SIR exercise before the Supreme Court. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the proposal was initially endorsed by 21 parties and one Independent, with two more parties joining before the letter was submitted. He added that the Opposition remains united under the theme of "SURE" Solidarity, Unity and Resistance.

In a notable development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also endorsed the letter despite no longer being formal members of the INDIA bloc. Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien described their participation as a positive sign of broader Opposition coordination on electoral issues.

Although the complete text of the letter has not been released, Opposition leaders have said it raises concerns over the Election Commission's voter roll revision exercise, electoral transparency and the integrity of the election process. They have urged the Supreme Court to examine the matter and ensure that electoral procedures remain fair and in accordance with constitutional principles.

The letter is part of a broader strategy adopted at the June 8 Opposition meeting, where leaders also resolved to press for the resignation of the Union Education Minister over the handling of the NEET and CBSE examination controversies.